1. Duties of An Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

2. Duties of an Arbiter The first duty of an arbiter is to look after the players. This is done by:  Ensuring fair play  Making sure players are not disturbed  Reporting/recording results accurately  Punctuality How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

3. Duties of an Arbiter Ensuring fair play  Make sure Laws are followed  Avoid cheating by players  Observe games particularly if a player is short of time How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

4. Duties of an Arbiter Making sure players are not disturbed  Prevent noise  Ensure best playing conditions – space, heating, lighting  The ‘invisible’ arbiter e.g. new scoresheets How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

5. Duties of an Arbiter Reporting/recording results accurately  Check results when they come in – do both players agree  Check results are entered correctly  Ensure results are passed on for rating  Ensure prize lists are accurate How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

6. Duties of an Arbiter Punctuality Arrive in time to  Set clocks and boards  Put out scoresheets  Display pairings Be available when  Players are likely to be in time trouble  Draws, etc. need to be done  Continuation scoresheets are needed Don’t disappear before your work is finished How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

7. Duties of an Arbiter  Show respect to players, spectators, etc.  Observe games  Be responsible  Help colleagues  Know the regulations  Follow a dress code  Stay calm – or at least appear to do so. How to be a good Arbiter FIDE Arbiter Seminar

8. Duties of an Arbiter Before the Start of a Game  Arrive early at least 30 minutes before the start of a round (1 st round even earlier)  Check playing venue and conditions  Check equipment  Check layout  Check namecards etc./players are in correct place/order General Duties FIDE Arbiter Seminar

9. Duties of an Arbiter General Duties FIDE Arbiter Seminar During the Game Check player arrival (zero default especially) Carry out regular clock checks Patrol your area Check any claims received from players Check correct result handed in Update results sheet, etc.

10. Duties of an Arbiter General Duties FIDE Arbiter Seminar After the Round Check results/scoresheets – match totals if appropriate Pass on any information required to appropriate person Reset boards, clocks etc General ‘tidy-up’

11. Duties of an Arbiter  There are two Arbiting titles awarded by FIDE  There is the FIDE Arbiter Title (FA) and there is the International Arbiter title (IA). You must gain the FA title before progressing to the IA title.  There are also Categories of Arbiter within these titles. Arbiting Titles FIDE Arbiter Seminar

12. Duties of an Arbiter  Thorough knowledge of the Laws of Chess, FIDE Regulations for competitions and Swiss Pairing Systems.  Absolute objectivity  Sufficient knowledge of at least one FIDE language  Ability to handle electronic clocks  Experience as Chief or Deputy Arbiter at 3 FIDE rated events  Passing a FIDE Arbiter Seminar Requirements for the FA title FIDE Arbiter Seminar

13. Duties of an Arbiter  Norms can be obtained as follows:  10 player APA/6 player double round APA FIDE rated (max 2)  20 player Swiss FIDE rated (max 2 unless one has over 100 players and 7 rounds)  Arbiter Exam (1 norm)  IBCA, ICCD (formerly ICSC), IPCA Arbiter (1 norm each)  Chief or Deputy at 9 round + 30 player Rated Rapid or Blitz (1 norm) Four norms are needed within a six year period. Applicants from federations unable to organise suitable tournaments may get title on passing exam. Candidates must be aged 21 to obtain title. Requirements for the FA title FIDE Arbiter Seminar

14. Duties of an Arbiter  Knowledge of Laws, FIDE Regulations for competitions, Swiss Pairings, Regulations regarding achievement of title norms and rating system.  Objectivity  Conversational English and chess terms in other FIDE Languages  Knowledge of Pairing Programs endorsed by FIDE, Word, Excel and Email  Ability to use digital clocks Requirements for the IA title FIDE Arbiter Seminar

15. Duties of an Arbiter  Experience as arbiter in at least four FIDE rated events such as the following: a) The final of the National Individual (adult) Championship (maximum two norms). b) All official FIDE tournaments and matches. c) International tournaments where FIDE title norms for players are possible. d) International FIDE rated chess events with at least 100 players, at least 30% FIDE rated players, and at least seven rounds (maximum one norm). e) All official World and Continental Rapid and Blitz Championships for adult and juniors (maximum one (1) norm). Requirements for the IA title FIDE Arbiter Seminar

16. Duties of an Arbiter  The title of the International Arbiter for each of the IBCA, ICSC, IPCA shall each be equivalent to one IA norm.  Being a match arbiter in an Olympiad is equivalent to one IA norm. No more than one such norm will be considered for the title.  The title of International Arbiter can be awarded only to applicants who have already been awarded the title of FIDE Arbiter.  All the norms for the IA title must be different from the norms already used for the FA title and must have been achieved after the FA title has been awarded.  At least two (2) of the submitted norms shall be signed by different Chief Arbiters. Requirements for the IA title FIDE Arbiter Seminar

17. Duties of an Arbiter  Arbiter’s Licence FIDE Arbiter Seminar A titled active Arbiter (International Arbiter or FIDE Arbiter) and arbiters of national levels working in a FIDE rated tournament shall be charged with a “licence fee”. The licence will be valid for life, on the condition the arbiter remains an active arbiter, and will be in effect from the day after FIDE has received the fee. Arbiters who have not done an appropriate event for two years are classified inactive. The licence fee for arbiters of national levels is valid for life. If an arbiter of national level is awarded the title of “FIDE Arbiter” the licence fee for this title has to be paid to FIDE. If an arbiter upgrades his/her category only the difference between the category fee has to be paid to FIDE. If a “FIDE Arbiter” achieves the title of “International Arbiter”, the fee for the new title has to be paid to FIDE.

18. Duties of an Arbiter  Arbiter’s Licence FIDE Arbiter Seminar The licence fee is: a) for A’ Category Arbiters (only IAs): 300 € b) for B’ Category Arbiters (only IAs): 200 € c) for C’ Category Arbiters:IAs160 € FAs120 € d) for D’ Category Arbiters:IAs100 € FAs80 € e) for Arbiters of National Levels (NA): 20 €

19. Duties of an Arbiter  Arbiter’s Licence FIDE Arbiter Seminar Category A requirements (IA only) They have been Active International Arbiters during the last five (5) years. They have shown excellent knowledge of the Laws of Chess and the Tournament Regulations and no punishments have been imposed to them during their activities as Arbiters. They have acted as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter: a) in at least one (1) major World event (Olympiad, World Individual Championship tournaments and matches, for Men and Women, World Cup, World Team Championships for Men and Women, World Youth, Cadets and Junior Championships) in the period of the last five (5) years, or b) in at least five (5) of the events mentioned in 3.3.3. (with at least two different types of tournaments).

20. Duties of an Arbiter  Arbiter’s Licence FIDE Arbiter Seminar Category B requirements (IA only) They have been Active International Arbiters during the last five (5) years. They have shown excellent knowledge of the Laws of Chess and the Tournament Regulations and no punishments have been imposed to them during their activities as Arbiters. They have acted in a period of the last five (5) years as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter in at least two (2) of the following: a. the major Continental events such as Continental Individual Championship tournaments for Men and Women, Continental Team Championships for Men and Women, Continental Youth and Junior Championships, Continental Club Cup Tournaments; b. all the other World events included in the FIDE Calendar; c. Round Robin Tournaments with at least ten (10) participants (6 in a Double Round Robin), with an average rating above 2600 (2400 for a women only event). They have acted as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter in at least five (5) of the events mentioned in 3.4.3 (with at least two different types of tournaments) in the period of the last five (5) years.

21. Duties of an Arbiter  Arbiter’s Licence FIDE Arbiter Seminar Category C requirements (IA or FA) They have been Active International or FIDE Arbiters during the last five (5) years. They have shown excellent knowledge of the Laws of Chess and the Tournament Regulations and no punishments have been imposed to them during their activities as an Arbiter. 3.4.3 They have acted in the period of the last five (5) years as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter in at least two (2) of the following: a. all the other Continental events included in the FIDE Calendar b. Team Tournaments or Swiss System Tournaments with more than 150 Category D All others

22. Arbiter Title Application Application Procedure – Required Forms  IT3 – Tournament Report Form with Cross Table and decisions on appeals  IA1 or FA1 – Arbiter Norm Report Form  IA2 or FA2 – Arbiter Title Application Form All norms must be achieved within 6 years. They are submitted by your national federation. Application together with details is posted on FIDE website for a minimum of 60 days prior to finalisation. FIDE Arbiter Seminar